Media Center
Corporate Communications tells OCFA’s story with transparency, accuracy, and purpose. This team leads internal and external communications, responds to media inquiries, supports emergency incidents, and drives public awareness through education campaigns and community outreach. From crisis response to everyday storytelling, they ensure OCFA’s voice remains clear, timely, and connected to the people we serve.
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We provide brochures and flyers on life and fire safety topics, schedule school programs and fire station tours, and keep the public and media informed during emergency incidents.
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Public Records Requests can be made directly through our Clerk of the Authority by clicking the link below. If you have any general questions regarding public records, please contact the Clerk of the Authority Office during regular business hours at (714) 573-6040
In the media
Catch the latest headlines and media coverage featuring the Orange County Fire Authority.
Podcast - Hot Pursuit
Join hosts OCFA Fire Captain/Investigator Scott Kuhlman and Sophia Champieux as they take you behind the scenes of Orange County's most compelling fire investigations. From arson to accidental blazes, twice a month we'll explore a new case that uncovers the science, intuition, and human stories behind the flames. Through interviews with experts, fire investigators, law enforcement, and forensic specialists, Hot Pursuit offers an insider's look at how these mysterious and often chilling fires are solved. Discover the untold stories that rise from the ashes, one fire at a time.
Executive Producer: Kevin Hansen
Hosts: Sophia Champieux & Scott Kuhlman
Help Us Serve
Support OCFA’s mission to protect and serve the community. Your contributions help fund vital programs and resources that save lives.
For donations, please email OCFADonations@ocfa.org
News and Active Incidents
OCFA’s Active Incidents section provides real-time information on emergencies happening now. See where our responders are deployed and stay connected to ongoing public safety efforts in your area.
Posts from @OCFireAuthority
The Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Professional Firefighters Local 3631 honor the life and service of Fire Apparatus Engineer Lester L. Webster on this anniversary of his Line of Duty Death on October 11, 2017. Lester and his family are forever in our hearts.
Prepare ahead of the coming weather! Most OCFA fire stations have empty sandbags; select stations also have sand. Bring your own shovel and be ready to fill your bags.
Head to our website for more information and to find locations.
Sandbags - OCFA
ocfa.org
Rock, paper, scissors: Fire Prevention Week Edition!🔋
Remember these quick tips to help protect your home and family:
🔥 Install working smoke alarms.
🔌 Unplug devices once they’re fully charged.
⚡ Use the charger provided by the manufacturer
BRUSH FIRE - CAMP Pendleton
A brush fire is currently burning on Camp Pendleton, with smoke visible throughout portions of South Orange County.
OCFA is aware of the incident and is actively monitoring conditions. We will provide updates as needed.
OCFA celebrated Fire Prevention Week with Station Open House! 🚒
25 fire stations opened their doors to residents, giving community members the opportunity to meet their local firefighters, ask questions, and learn more about fire prevention. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
This #FirePreventionWeek we are highlighting the importance of safely charging lithium-ion batteries including those used in e-bikes. Remember these tips:
🔋Do not overcharge.
🔥Keep away from combustible materials.
🔌Follow the manufacturer's charging instructions.
Video description: An 18-second video shows a person riding an e-bike. Text on screen reads, “E-bikes are fun until…” The video then transitions to show a garage fire. Text on screen reads, “Charging isn’t handled properly.”
Vegetation fire stopped.
At 2 p.m. today, firefighters responded to a vegetation fire at the Prima Deshecha Landfill on Avenida La Pata near San Juan Capistrano.
With support from @OCWaste personnel spraying water on the fire, firefighters used hose lines and hand tools to stop the fire’s forward progress, holding it to 1.3 acres in less than ten minutes. No injuries were reported, and no structures were damaged.
Video description: This 39-second video shows firefighters using hose lines and hand tools on a burned hillside at the Prima Deshecha Landfill. It ends with the OCFA logo and the words “In Service of Others.”
@CityOfSJC
@OCFirefighters
Firefighters have stopped the forward progress of a 1/2 acre vegetation fire near the Prima Deshecha Landfill on Avenida La Pata in San Juan Capistrano/Unincorporated Rancho Mission Viejo that was reported at 2 p.m.
@OCWaste
@OCSDSanJuanCap
@CHPCapistrano
@CityOfSJC
The Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Professional Firefighters Local 3631 honor the life and service of Captain Thomas O. Wall on this anniversary of his Line of Duty Death on October 5, 1998. Thomas and his family are forever in our hearts.
What’s one small change you can make? Start by setting a reminder to unplug your device once it’s fully charged.🔋
It's Fire Prevention Week, and we’re sharing the importance of safely charging lithium-ion batteries. Making habits part of your routine can help reduce fire risks.
The Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Professional Firefighters Local 3631 honor the life and service of Fire Captain Dennis Donelson on this anniversary of his Line of Duty Death on October 4, 1986. Dennis and his family are forever in our hearts.
Tomorrow is OCFA Station Open Houses! Join us Saturday, October 3, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at a participating fire station. 🚒
This free, family-friendly event invites residents to tour a local station and meet OCFA firefighters. No RSVP needed, just show up and enjoy the fun! 😊
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is over 99%.
Early detection includes scheduling mammograms and clinical breast exams.
You see the rescues. What you don’t always see are the hours of training that come before them. Here’s a look behind the scenes.
Video description: 28-second video of firefighters training on technical rescue skills, including rope systems and rappelling. On-screen text: “You’ve seen the rescues. What you don’t always see is what comes before them. Training.” Ends with OCFA logo and “In Service of Others.”
Today, the heavy equipment operators from Wildland Operations collaborated with Seal Beach Public Works to build a berm to protect homes from the predicted high surf and tides.
Last week, OCFA was honored to join the Orange County Business Council’s annual First Responders Dinner.
Fire Chief McGovern joined fellow officials for a panel discussion about the GKN hazardous materials incident. Division Chief Covey and Battalion Chief Goodwin >>>
represented the OCFA members recognized for their actions early in the incident.
The evening also honored Division Chief Henery for more than 40 years of service to the people of Orange County. Thank you to the Business Council for including us in this year’s event.
Technical Rescue - Irvine
This morning, a window washer became stranded approximately 60 feet above the ground after his harness and lowering system malfunctioned.
Truck 20 & our technical rescue team used the truck’s aerial ladder and bucket to bring him to safety injury free.
Garage Fire Contained, Entire Interior of Home Saved
Early this morning in Seal Beach, a homeowner heard noises coming from his garage. He checked his garage camera and saw what appeared to be a fire. When he opened the door between the kitchen and garage and saw the flames, >>>
he closed it immediately and got his family outside.
Crews arrived and quickly knocked down the fire, containing it to the garage. The inside of the home and the family’s belongings were saved. The fire was deemed to be caused by an unspecified electrical failure in the garage.>
Video description: This 32-second video begins with Ring camera footage showing flames inside a garage beneath a hanging bicycle. It then cuts to nighttime views outside the home, where flames and thick smoke rise while firefighters work at the scene.
#Academy64 vertical ventilation training at work. 🔥
Vertical ventilation is a technique used to release heat and smoke from a structure. Firefighters perform this operation, helping improve conditions inside the building and increasing the chances of victim survival.
Garden Grove House Fire
This morning, Engine 82 arrived at a large, single-story home with heavy fire coming from a bedroom. Crews immediately began attacking the fire while searching the home for anyone inside.
Crews rapidly knocked down the fire, saving a significant >>>
portion of the home. No one was injured in the blaze.
Video description: This 43-second video shows flames and thick black smoke coming from a Garden Grove home. As firefighters apply water, the smoke becomes lighter. The video then shows the home’s fire-damaged exterior.
An honor recognizing 35 years of service and leadership.
Last night, the OCFA Board of Directors voted to remove the word “Interim” from Chief TJ McGovern’s title in recognition of his service and leadership of the OCFA during this important transition.
is selected and onboarded through our current national search,” Chief McGovern said.
Chief McGovern is now the sixth Board-appointed Fire Chief in OCFA’s 31-year history.
We congratulate Fire Chief TJ McGovern on this well-deserved recognition and thank him for continuing to lead the OCFA through this transition.
Adults deserve gold stars, too! ⭐️
September is National Preparedness Month, so consider this your reminder to get prepared before an emergency happens. Take steps now to protect your family and your home before the next earthquake, wildfire, or other disaster.
Flames spread quickly from a carport into a house on Lorna Street in @CityGardenGrove shortly after 2:30 this afternoon. Firefighters stopped the fire from extending further into the home.
An OCFA drone operator then flew a drone overhead to help crews locate and extinguish remaining hot spots. No injuries were reported, and the cause is under investigation. Thank you to @GardenGrovePD for their assistance.
Video description: Firefighters in protective gear work around a smoke-filled home, stretching hose lines and operating equipment. OCFA drone footage provides an overhead view as crews look for hot spots. The video ends with the OCFA logo and the words, “In Service of Others.”
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Throughout the month, OCFA shares information, resources, and testimonials with staff and operations personnel.
Today, professional staff at our Headquarters participated in a Suicide Prevention & Awareness Walk. Led by Chief Maule, staff came together to raise awareness, support prevention efforts, and pay tribute to those we have lost.
A remarkable career. A lasting legacy. Thirty years of dedicated service.
Assistant Chief Baryic Hunter will retire today after three decades of serving others. His career began in 1996 as a firefighter with the Carlsbad Fire Department, followed by service with San Diego >>>
Blue Ridge, Bond and Silverado fires and the GKN hazardous materials incident.
A lifelong learner and trusted leader, Chief Hunter leaves behind a legacy of operational excellence, dedicated mentorship and an unwavering commitment to the communities we serve. >>>
Chief Hunter, congratulations on an extraordinary career. We wish you and your family all the best in this well-earned next chapter.
Chief Hunter, congratulations on an extraordinary career. We wish you and your family all the best in this well-earned next chapter.
Blue Ridge, Bond and Silverado fires and the GKN hazardous materials incident.
A lifelong learner and trusted leader, Chief Hunter leaves behind a legacy of operational excellence, dedicated mentorship and an unwavering commitment to the communities we serve. >>>
Chief Hunter, congratulations on an extraordinary career. We wish you and your family all the best in this well-earned next chapter.
All-Hazard Incident Management Team, as Director of Emergency Services, and as president of the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association. His experience and steady presence proved invaluable during some of our region’s most significant emergencies, including the >>>
Would you like the opportunity to tour your local fire station, talk with firefighters, and learn how to keep your family safe?
Join us on Saturday, October 3, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for Station Open Houses! There are 25 participating OCFA fire stations listed here. 😀
What does a Day in the Life look like for Engineer Bonilla at Station 83 in Garden Grove? Each day at an OCFA station is unpredictable.
Those values continue to guide him today. “I try to bring those values to the firehouse every day, be someone my crew can depend on, and make the most of the opportunities my parents sacrificed so much to give me.”
Being an Engineer has given him the opportunity to take on more responsibility, grow in his career, and mentor others." #HispanicHeritageMonth
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